Blues Trust
Birmingham City Supporters Trust - An Independent Voice
Blues Trust
Birmingham City Supporters Trust - An Independent Voice
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Blues Trust
Birmingham City Supporters Trust - An Independent Voice
Underdogs No More
After the result against Millwall, my innermost thought was that when Tom Wagner and Tom Brady viewed the Championship table last Saturday evening they must have been pleased. Not just seeing their newly acquired outfit sitting fairly pretty, but also noticing the top two slots were occupied by Preston and Ipswich. Early days admittedly, and much could and will no doubt change come next May.
However, my point is this. Based purely on my own observations, Tom Brady certainly doesn’t do underdogs. He is an elite sportsman if ever there was one. A world super star, a consistent performer over many years and an absolute winner. These attributes define him and drive him very much on the front foot. We must hope that during this international break his influence continues to be felt within the training ground, ensuring John Eustace and his squad remain fully focused in order to stay within touching distance of the top of the Championship.
Good for the club and good for us loyal supporters. Underdogs can be used as a term for not expecting much and anticipating defeat. However, since Tom Brady walked through the door and given the way he has conducted himself with regard to almost everything from media to the fans, my belief is that John Eustace is getting the everyday bonus of his input.
Will added pressure be there for the players on matchdays? Absolutely, and rightly so. Because without it the chance of the players achieving improvement each month will diminish. Tom Wagner, Tom Brady and Garry Cook will not wish to be disappointed after such an encouraging start to the season, something that has been achieved despite a few significant injuries.
Those injured players hopefully returning after this two week break will only add to the club’s armoury. Watford away and points await for our new look squad. Normally it is a trip that rarely produces much of a return, but Tom Brady and John Eustace will see an opportunity to change all that.
Whilst visiting America a few years ago I toured Millersville University in Pennsylvania, including it’s sports science academy. Even there, Tom Brady was a source of inspiration and the talk of everything being possible in terms of sporting achievement. We at Blues now have an opportunity to progress and walk side by side with the great man, something that leaves me with the thought that we are underdogs no more.
Mitchell Bray
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I’m inclined to agree Mitchell. It certainly feels as if things are changing, but that’s ok. It’s what we’ve wanted for a very long time.
Talking of the match last Saturday, I was really disappointed with the penalty outcome. Not that Scott Hogan missed it, but that he was allowed to take it in the first place. There was an audible groan around me when he took hold of the ball. As if people knew what was coming. I thought in this day and age with elite level sport everything was carefully analysed beforehand? Unless I’m mistaken, Hogan has only scored twice from the spot previously and both of those…each against Swansea…were not convincing. He is not an effective penalty taker. So quite what John Eustace was thinking in letting him take it is unclear to me. Those fine margins make a lot of difference over the course of a season, so I hope it doesn’t come back to bite us.
Still moving in the right direction though!
Until we sort out our finances so we can compete on a level playing field with other championship clubs we will remain underdogs. The Brady/Wagner influence has been influential in attracting players to the club so we are in a much better place than in many a year but we aren’t there yet. KRO.
I agree with the comment from Ijaz, we have a lot of “cleaning up” of the mess left by previous owners, to do before we can reasonably hope to compete with the big boys in our division. It has been a great start, both on and off the pitch, insolvent building firms excepted, but I hope people don’t get carried away and expect miracles this year. We need to build solid foundations before we start thinking about putting the roof on.
Going around with head held high and proud to be a Blues supporter will do me at the moment. No laughing stock or poor relations now. Grateful for ever and a day.
We need to let the process of building everything continue and our optimism will grow even more,we cannot let down periods affect us to much we will lose games,the rebuilding of the club will continue win,lose or draw nice to have real optimism for once and long may it continue kro
We remain too dependent on being organised at the back. Seven goals scored in five games is not a recipe for a sustained presence around promotion/play-offs
That said there are new forward recruits still to make their presence felt. Roberts, Burke and Dembele do look a bit of an upgrade on what we’ve had. Stansfield is doing a decent impression of a 20-goals a season striker and there are reasons to believe that George Hall is set to shine.
So cautiously optimistic that we can stay there or thereabouts even once the premier league relegation outfits get going.
So happy team bring new face players Jay Stansfield is quality player Look forward to Olive Burke next, Hogan put in Sub, Hope John Eustace stay us Don’t go to Rangers.. Kro
Tony, you make such an interesting point regarding the attacking players yet to make their ‘regular appearances ‘. Tyler Roberts, Dembele and Burke will be a force. Add Stansfield and legend Jutkiewicz plus Hall and this season could be the American dream.